Hollywood Bowl Summer Concert Roundup

Get ready for the Hollywood Bowl’s best season yet. Photo courtesy L.A. Phil.

We were going to do a “Top 10” list of concerts not to miss at the Hollywood Bowl this summer, except there were too many fabulous shows to choose from. Check out 15 must-see Hollywood Bowl concerts in 2015.

Opening Night with JourneyJune 20. “Don’t Stop Believin’”-machine Journey launches the Hollywood Bowl’s season with a full-length set with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, followed by a fireworks display. Also new for the 2015 summer season are revamped box seats, improved walkways and delicious new food offerings.

Back to the Future—in Concert 30th AnniversaryJune 30. It’s the year that Marty McFly made it to the future and it’s also the 30th anniversary of the original Back to the Future. Commemorate these milestones with the HD screening on the Bowl’s big screen, with the LA Philharmonic playing the epic score live, with about 20 minutes of new music. Opening the evening, members of the cast, composer Alan Silvestri and producer and co-writer Bob Gale will be present. Back to the Future paraphernalia will be on display across the Bowl grounds. 8:30 p.m.

July 4th Fireworks Spectacular July 2-4. At the Hollywood Bowl’s annual great American extravaganza, King of Motown Smokey Robinson joins the Los Angeles Philharmonic for a night of patriotic music and spectacular fireworks. 7:30 p.m. each night.

Yuja Wang Plays ProkofievJuly 7. Kicking of classical Tuesdays at the Bowl, pianist Yuja Wang will perform Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto. This breathtaking program includes French & Russian pieces such as Debussy’s La mer and Ravel’s Bolero. 8:00 p.m.

Monty Python’s SpamalotJuly 31-Aug. 2. If you’re looking for a laugh, head to the Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of the beloved ’70s film. Broadway star and actor Christian Slater will be playing Sir Galahad. This performance marks 35 years since Monty Python first appeared at the Bowl. 8 p.m. July 31-Aug. 1, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2.

Warner Bro. Presents Bugs Bunny at the Symphony-25th AnniversaryAug. 14-15. Celebrate 25 years of Bugs Bunny and Looney Tunes with a live orchestra accompanying the screening of some favorite shorts from the show. Classic episodes include What’s Opera, Doc?, The Rabbit of Seville and Zoom and Bored. 8 p.m. both nights.

E.T. The Extra-TerrestrialSept. 4-6. The LA Philharmonic performs the Academy Award-winning score of the classic story while it plays in HD on the big screen. Pile the family into the car and enjoy an evening under the stars with Steven Spielberg’s beloved film. 8 p.m. Sept. 4-5, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6.

Fireworks Finale with the B-52’s, The Psychedelic FursSept. 11-13. The party is on with favorites B-52s and The Psychedelic Furs. Don’t miss the season’s finale with hit songs “Rock Lobster,” “Love Shack,” “Pretty in Pink” and “The Ghost in You,” plus the magnificent fireworks. 8 p.m. Sept. 11-12, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13.

Grace Jones, Future IslandsSept. 27. Baltimore’s Future Islands and pop star Grace Jones team up to bring you an evening of disco, new wave and dynamic synth pop. 7 p.m.